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Itinerary for Apr 14 — Apr 19, 2013

Description: Club Quarters, Wacker at Michigan is a private, full service hotel in the center of downtown Chicago and located on the Chicago River. This landmark tower, built in 1928, has been fully restored to its historic grandeur and offers spectacular views of the skyline, including floodlit landmarks. Luxury shopping along the Magnificent Mile is just 1 block away. Grant Park is 10 minutes' walk and Navy Pier is 1 mile away.

Description: Club Quarters, Wacker at Michigan is a private, full service hotel in the center of downtown Chicago and located on the Chicago River. This landmark tower, built in 1928, has been fully restored to its historic grandeur and offers spectacular views of the skyline, including floodlit landmarks. Luxury shopping along the Magnificent Mile is just 1 block away. Grant Park is 10 minutes' walk and Navy Pier is 1 mile away.

Morning: Board a coach bus for an expert-led exploration of the city from as far north as renowned Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, to Hyde Park at the southern end of the city, home of President Barack Obama and the University of Chicago. Learn about the history of the city, the immigrants and the neighborhoods that gave the city a rich culture and texture, and the businessmen whose influence have made it the world-class city that it is today.

Description: Club Quarters, Wacker at Michigan is a private, full service hotel in the center of downtown Chicago and located on the Chicago River. This landmark tower, built in 1928, has been fully restored to its historic grandeur and offers spectacular views of the skyline, including floodlit landmarks. Luxury shopping along the Magnificent Mile is just 1 block away. Grant Park is 10 minutes' walk and Navy Pier is 1 mile away.

Morning: Experience the city from the Sky Deck at the Willis Tower, the tallest building in the western hemisphere at 1,353 feet high. Step out onto the glass balcony that extends four feet outside the 103rd floor of the building! At the Federal Reserve Bank, gain a deeper understanding of the functions, responsibilities and operations of the Federal Reserve during an expert-led exploration.

Lunch: Lunch is at Giordano's, renowned for its Chicago-style pizza.

Afternoon: Hone your knowledge and appreciation for art at the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago. Home to more than 300,000 works of art, the permanent collection includes “American Gothic,” the famed Chagall Windows and the Thorne Miniature Rooms. You will have ample time to explore the galleries in-depth.

Dinner: At local restaurant.

Evening: After dinner you have time to stroll down Michigan Avenue, window shop, or stop and listen to music in one of the many local bars.

Description: Club Quarters, Wacker at Michigan is a private, full service hotel in the center of downtown Chicago and located on the Chicago River. This landmark tower, built in 1928, has been fully restored to its historic grandeur and offers spectacular views of the skyline, including floodlit landmarks. Luxury shopping along the Magnificent Mile is just 1 block away. Grant Park is 10 minutes' walk and Navy Pier is 1 mile away.

Day Four: Wednesday, April 17 - Field Museum of Natural History/Free Evening

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Begin an exhilarating day at the world-class Field Museum and learn how its goal initially was the “accumulation and dissemination of knowledge and the preservation and exhibition of objects illustrating art, archaeology, science and history.” Over the years, the museum has become increasingly focused on natural sciences. Learn about gems, dinosaurs, mummies, Africa, the Pacific, the Ancient Americas, Pawnee Indians and much more during an expert-led exploration.

Lunch: Lunch at the Field Museum.

Afternoon: Continue your exploration of this iconic Chicago museum, with ample free time to delve into exhibits that interest you.

Description: Club Quarters, Wacker at Michigan is a private, full service hotel in the center of downtown Chicago and located on the Chicago River. This landmark tower, built in 1928, has been fully restored to its historic grandeur and offers spectacular views of the skyline, including floodlit landmarks. Luxury shopping along the Magnificent Mile is just 1 block away. Grant Park is 10 minutes' walk and Navy Pier is 1 mile away.

Day Five: Thursday, April 18 - Financial District and State of Illinois Building...

Financial District and State of Illinois Building/Architectural Boat Ride/Final Evening in Chicago

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: This morning we will visit the Chicago Board of Trade Building, a national historic landmark and the home of the CME Group. We will have the opportunity to learn about the history of two of the city’s most important exchanges, the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Chicago’s reputation as a world class city comes in part from the rich and diverse collection of architectural styles that define our skyline and the buildings that define our city. This morning we will explore the State of Illinois Building. This post-modern, 17 story building, designed by Helmut Jahn, provides the city with yet, one more striking exterior. The interior of the building boast a fabulous circular atrium from ground level to ceiling, and houses an art gallery featuring the art of Illinois artists

Lunch:
Chicago is notorious for its flamboyant political history. Professor Zbigniew Banas will enlighten us on the political history of the city, prior to lunch. Lunch at Fox and Obel

Afternoon: In keeping with our focus on architecture in the city, this afternoon we will have the opportunity to take an architectural study cruise on the Chicago River.

Morning: This morning we will explore the history of the City of Chicago at the Chicago History Museum. This institution houses 22 million historical artifacts and documents from Chicago and U.S. history, with an emphasis on five main areas: Living, Working and Governing in the Metropolitan Area, the Built Environment and Individuals and Ideas. With the help of our expert guide, we will gain a better understanding of Chicago’s past and present, and how they will inform the future of the City.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at the museum's History Cafe.

Afternoon: Bus back to the hotel. Program conclusion. We hope you enjoyed Chicago!

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

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The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!